Photo: YHoshua · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Newburgh than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newburgh gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #586 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Newburgh faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Newburgh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newburgh, and Newburgh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #586 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newburgh’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newburgh has more expected damage per building than 99% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Newburgh: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newburgh flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newburgh, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Newburgh isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warrick County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newburgh
Disasters that paid out in Newburgh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newburgh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$343K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$421K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$100K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$53K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2005Tornado and Severe Storms633 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$67K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$3K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding94 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$55K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs
Warrick County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newburgh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newburgh archive →Newburgh and its neighbors
Newburgh is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ohio Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newburgh | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Newburgh faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newburgh
Is Newburgh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newburgh has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #586 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newburgh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Newburgh since 1979, $55K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Newburgh in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Warrick County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newburgh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newburgh’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Newburgh?
By FEMA money that reached Newburgh, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and (2011): $421K to the Town of Newburgh for repairs.
Is Newburgh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Newburgh’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newburgh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newburgh’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.